Very QUICK Update!

Just so I don't have to take any of the blame on this one, this update is quick because Billy's last letter was really short!  He is doing well still and loving his mission.  He said that he feels that his speed has improved because of having to chase buses everyday, which he hopes will show on the lacrosse field when he gets back.  He has expressed an interest in studying to become a dentist having seen some of the people in India, and says that he would love to be able to return one day and help improve their quality of life.  He did say that he appreciates all of the e-mails, but he doesn't have much time to read and respond to them since their time on the computer is so limited.  He asked that people would please send hand-written letters instead and that he will try to respond in a timely manner.  He promised us pictures next week so we'll see if they come!    

INDIA!

Sorry guys, I know I've been shirking on my duties as Billy's blog manager but the new school year has been keeping me pretty busy. I promise I will try to be better about posting. In the meantime here is a nice update on what Billy has been up to...

Billy did leave for India last Wednesday, so he has officially been there one whole week! He called my parents from the airport in Salt Lake Wednesday morning, and then called us again from Germany at about 2:30AM. I had the pleasure of talking to him during the 2:30AM call although I don't recall much of the conversation except that he sounded very excited to be on his way to India and he was quite tired.

According to the e-mail from the Mission President he made it there safely. He spent a couple of days with the Mission President and his wife, and was able to attend a zone conference his first full day in India. He and Elder McKay were both sent via airplane to Hyderabad to meet up with the zone leaders who would be their companions.

Okay, so after hearing from the Mission President, we got an e-mail from Billy. He wants letters. He has already taught dozens of lessons and committed two people to baptism. His first baptism will be in a couple of weeks. He says that India is a very different since there are no traffic rules, and he says that "trying to cross the street should be done to the Indiana Jones theme song." He says, "I know why they send athletes here, you need to be able to run and jump to get on the bus and that's not even the hardest part, wait until you try to get off!" He also says that "there are a lot of cows roaming the streets and they are the only ones that get the right of way, no one will hit a cow."

He goes on to say that the people there are wonderful and that they come right up and hold your hand. They have been instructed not to wear their name badges and to be very careful because three days ago two of the elders were thrown in jail for being Christian missionaries and they are still there. He says that "the truth is spreading like wildfire and it is amazing seeing and being apart of this." Many stray dogs live on the streets and so do people. A lot of the people in his area live in apartments or tents. He says, "I'm living in the Ritz and it would still probably make mom cry."

He loves it there and he loves his mission. He said he is so happy to be there and that he loves the people and loves the gospel. He can't wait to send pictures soon and he promises they are coming.